NFL Player News

Flacco is the "strong favorite" to begin the regular season as Cleveland's starting quarterback, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Flacco has been the "presumed favorite" since the beginning of training camp, and multiple factors have helped him tighten his grip on the role. First, Jackson reports that the veteran QB had his best two days of throwing Friday and Saturday. Second, Kenny Pickett strained a hamstring July 27 and is still working his way back to full speed, though he's returned to practice in a limited capacity. Finally, rookie Shedeur Sanders hasn't been able to do much as he deals with arm soreness, though Jackson suggests that neither Sanders nor fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel ever had a "realistic chance" of winning the starting job out of the gate. It all adds up to Flacco looking like the Browns' starter Week 1 against Cincinnati, though Pickett still could make a case for the role if he outshines Flacco upon returning to full health.

Johnson was wearing a protective boot on his left foot Saturday as he deals with a left calf strain, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson was also using a scooter to get around the locker room, so it appears he's not close to be ready to practice. The 23-year-old played in nine regular-season games as a rookie last year, compiling seven tackles, including 1.0 sacks. He's competing for a depth role heading into his second NFL campaign.

Burton has made some nice plays in training camp so far and more importantly has avoided all the pratfalls that plagued him last year, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports.

While the Bengals are happy with how Burton has showed up in camp, they are also treating this as a "necessary but not yet sufficient" status for him to elevate his status on the field. Said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, "That's a prerequisite, right? That doesn't mean you're gonna be a successful pro. That gives you a chance to be a successful pro. He's making the right steps in that direction." Burton remains behind Andrei Iosivas on the depth chart, with Iosivas also having a good camp.

Pittman (groin) didn't practice Sunday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Pittman first hurt his groin in practice Tuesday, though he was able to resume participation Thursday. However, the star wideout was held out again Saturday and Sunday, so it appears he's not fully past the injury yet. The Colts likely want to make sure Pittman is fully in the clear before he resumes practice given that the team is still in the early stages of training camp.

Palmer isn't practicing Sunday due to a groin injury, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

Palmer has had a promising start to training camp after signing a three-year contract with Buffalo in the offseason, but he's hit at least a minor roadblock with the groin issue. The Bills also announced Sunday that No. 1 wideout Khalil Shakir is week-to-week due to a high-ankle sprain, per Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo, so Keon Coleman and Elijah Moore are the team's top receivers who are currently healthy. It's not yet clear how many practices Palmer might miss as he works through the groin injury.

McPherson is reverting back to the original kicking technique that he employed in 2021-22 after switching the last two years, a change that drew mixed results, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic reports. He hasn't yet missed a kick in camp.

McPherson initially employed a gentle draw, but switched to a kick that in theory flew straighter, taking the wind out of the equation more. But the new technique robbed him of a little distance, and last season the control eluded him, too, leading to six missed kicks, including two critical misses in a loss to the Chargers.

Shakir has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.

Shakir left the field during Friday's practice after having his right ankle examined by trainers. Subsequent evaluation has indicated that the fourth-year wideout is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. That almost certainly means he won't be available for Buffalo's first preseason game Saturday, Aug. 9 and also suggests he could be held out of exhibition contests entirely. It remains to be seen if Shakir will be ready to suit up for Week 1 of the regular season. Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer figure to lead Buffalo's wideout corps for however long Shakir is out.

Moore (hamstring) is practicing Sunday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Prior to Sunday, Moore hadn't practiced since exiting early Tuesday due to a hamstring injury. The issue doesn't appear to have been serious since Moore is back on the field less than a week later. Moore is trying to cement his place in a Chiefs wideout pecking order that is unsettled beyond top three options Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown (ankle).

Brown isn't practicing Sunday due to a hamstring issue, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.

Per Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia, Brown also missed the second half of practice Friday. The severity of the hamstring injury isn't clear, but Philadelphia figures to be cautious with the star wideout given that the regular season is still over a month away. In better news for the Eagles' wideout corps, DeVonta Smith returned to practice Sunday after missing a few days with a tight back.

Smith (back) is practicing Sunday, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Smith had been out of practice since Monday while dealing with a tight back, though by the end of the week he was able to run with trainers and warm up with teammates. It appears the star wideout now is feeling well enough to return to practice, though it's not clear if he'll be limited at all. Regardless, there doesn't appear to be any reason for concern about his availability for the start of the regular season.